What is the primary function of the digestive system?
The primary function of the digestive system is to break down food into nutrients that the body can absorb and use for energy, growth, and cell repair.
Where does digestion begin?
Digestion begins in the mouth, where food is chewed and mixed with saliva, beginning the breakdown of carbohydrates.
Name the enzyme in saliva that breaks down carbohydrates.
The enzyme in saliva that breaks down carbohydrates is called amylase.
What is the role of the stomach in digestion?
The stomach further breaks down food with gastric juices containing acid and enzymes, turning it into a semi-liquid called chyme.
How does the small intestine aid in digestion?
The small intestine absorbs nutrients from food. It uses enzymes and bile to break down food into absorbable molecules.
What is the function of the liver in digestion?
The liver produces bile, which helps digest fats and also detoxifies certain chemicals in the body.
How does bile help in digestion?
Bile aids in the digestion of fats by emulsifying them, making them easier to break down by enzymes.
What role does the pancreas play in digestion?
The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine.
Describe the function of the large intestine in the digestive process.
The large intestine absorbs water and salts from the remaining indigestible food matter and forms solid waste for excretion.
What is the significance of the villi in the small intestine?
Villi increase the surface area for absorption, allowing more nutrients to be absorbed by the small intestine.
How are carbohydrates digested and absorbed?
Carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars by enzymes and absorbed in the small intestine.
What role does the oral cavity play in digestion?
The oral cavity begins mechanical digestion through chewing and enzymatic digestion of carbohydrates with saliva.
What is the primary role of the esophagus in digestion?
The esophagus transports food from the mouth to the stomach using a series of muscular contractions called peristalsis.
How does the body protect itself from the acidic environment of the stomach?
The stomach lining secretes mucus that protects its walls from acidic gastric juices and enzymes.
Why is nutrient absorption crucial for the body?
Nutrient absorption is essential to provide energy, support growth, repair tissues, and maintain overall health functions.